Meet Steven Melick, Candidate for School Board

With the November 8 election day swiftly approaching, Upper Dublin Patch is on a mission to inform its readers about the background and stances of every single candidate running for office in our township.

We'll present two pieces on every candidate: first an interview on their personal background, followed by a second to find out their viewpoint on key issues. To find which ward you're in, click here.

Steven Melick is one of three challengers who, along with four incumbent candidates, are vying for five open spots on the Upper Dublin Board of School Directors. In , in which all candidates crossfiled as both Democrat and Republican, Melick was the leading vote-getter on the Republican ballot, garnering 17.97 percent of the vote.

Upper Dublin Patch: What publicly elected offices have you held, if any, and for how long?

Steven Melick: I have not previously held any public offices.

UDP: Can you take a moment to tell our readers a bit about yourself-- where you're from, your education, and your professional and personal achievements?

SM: Born in Boyertown, a small, rural community split between Montgomery and Berks County, I was raised in a terrific family that taught me a lot about civic responsibility and commitment to others. I am a Drexel University graduate with a degree in Information Systems. Since college I have been an entrepreneur having founded, operated and ultimately sold two successful businesses.  Currently I am the executive director at the La Salle University Center for Entrepreneurship working with students and I also consult with small and growing businesses on their strategic, financial and operating plans. 

In my free time I am baseball commissioner and coach with the Upper Dublin Junior Athletics Association and assist with my daughters’ soccer teams.  My biggest achievement is raising three terrific children with my wife Megan.  Our children are very well rounded academically and socially and are a constant reminder of why I do the many things I do.

UDP: Where do you place yourself on the political spectrum? Are there any key philosophies or issues you hold most important?

SM:

I am fiscally conservative and I believe accountability and transparency are crucial to a working system, whether it is a commercial enterprise, government office or school district--that is what I hope to bring to the Upper Dublin School Board. 

I also believe everyone’s voice needs to be heard and solutions occur through an open, honest dialog with careful consideration paid to all perspectives of an issue.  We may never reach full agreement but decisions cannot be made without hearing all sides.

UDP: Why are you running for this office?

SM:

I believe I bring a much-needed dimension to our Board to strengthen its fiscal operating policies and commitment to our constituents to ensure we maintain one of the greatest assets in Upper Dublin: our schools.  We are on an unsustainable path and if we do not act proactively on forecasted budget shortfalls, much greater change will be necessary.  With three children in the district I have a vested interest and I believe that providing a quality education and being fiscally responsible are NOT mutually exclusive goals.

Stick with Patch as we continue to speak with candidates. Click for previous interviews. Incumbents in bold.

Upper Dublin Township Commissioners

Ward 1: (R), (D)

Ward 5: (D), (R)

Ward 7: (R), (D)

UDSD School Board

, , , , , , .

Magisterial District Judge

(D), (R)